Communities could opt-out or limit commercial and retail marijuana sales much the same way they do alcohol under proposed regulations put forth by the state alcohol control board.
The board reviewed the first of three sets of marijuana regulations on Thursday, which included a system for community regulations.
When voters in November approved a ballot issue legalizing limited recreational marijuana, they directed the board to develop regulations for the commercial industry. A new marijuana board is expected to take over that work eventually.
The board directed the state Department of Law to open a public comment period on those regulations. The next meeting on the new regulations likely will be held in July.
The board also made permanent a temporary regulation that defines the public places where marijuana is prohibited.
